Immunisation Community of Practice

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Welcome to the Immunisation Community of Practice. A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people with a shared passion who come together and learn how to do better. The PHNs Immunisation CoP is your opportunity to get answers, share ideas and build your professional network regarding immunisation.

The PHN Immunisation CoP aims to reduce the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases in the community by providing appropriate and timely information about vaccine preventable diseases and the Immunise Australia Program to immunisation providers and the community and promote the delivery of the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases that can cause serious health problems in the community. Immunisation not only protects individuals from life-threatening diseases, but also dramatically reduces transmission in the community. The more people who are vaccinated, the fewer opportunities a disease has to spread.

Some of the benefits of joining this Community are:

  • 24/7 access to filed Immunisation resources,
  • keep current with Immunisation updates,
  • brainstorm about Immunisation,
  • and network with colleagues passionate about Immunisation.

Welcome to the Immunisation Community of Practice. A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people with a shared passion who come together and learn how to do better. The PHNs Immunisation CoP is your opportunity to get answers, share ideas and build your professional network regarding immunisation.

The PHN Immunisation CoP aims to reduce the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases in the community by providing appropriate and timely information about vaccine preventable diseases and the Immunise Australia Program to immunisation providers and the community and promote the delivery of the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases that can cause serious health problems in the community. Immunisation not only protects individuals from life-threatening diseases, but also dramatically reduces transmission in the community. The more people who are vaccinated, the fewer opportunities a disease has to spread.

Some of the benefits of joining this Community are:

  • 24/7 access to filed Immunisation resources,
  • keep current with Immunisation updates,
  • brainstorm about Immunisation,
  • and network with colleagues passionate about Immunisation.
  • Changes to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination dose schedule under the National Immunisation Program

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    From 6 February 2023, the dose schedule for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will change to a single dose, and eligibility for the catch-up program will be extended to include people up to and including 25 years of age. Young people (except those who are immunocompromised) who receive a single dose before 26 years of age are considered fully vaccinated and will not need further doses.

    State and Territory health departments will be communicating the changes to parents of adolescents eligible for the HPV vaccine at school in 2023.

    Further information and relevant resources

    Department of Health and Aged Care

    Vaccination providers and other interested stakeholders can subscribe to National Immunisation Program updates from the Department of Health and Aged Care.

  • RESOURCE: Following vaccination – what to expect and what to do

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    To Order this resource

    Order ID:
    IT0303

    You can order this resource by contacting National Mailing and Marketing:

    Email - health@nationalmailing.com.au
    Phone - 02 6269 1080

    Quote the order ID number above, the quantity of the resource you wish to order and provide your delivery address.

  • GSK Rotarix Dosing and Administration Wheel (Rotarix Wheel) ERRORS

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    GSK has advised that some copies of the GSK Rotarix Dosing and Administration Wheel (Rotarix Wheel) contain errors. All providers are advised to stop using the Rotarix Wheel and discard any copies.

    There is no issue with Rotarix vaccine itself, or the recommended schedule for administration as per the NIP or Handbook, just the Rotarix Wheel printed resource.

    The below email has been sent to GPs from GSK

    16th January 2023

    Rotarix Dosing and Administration Wheel – discrepancy in date estimate
    Dear Healthcare Professional,

    GSK is committed to providing resources to healthcare professionals (HCPs) to support the quality use of our medicines and vaccines. Rotarix (human rotavirus, live attenuated oral vaccine) is indicated for the prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis.

    It has come to GSK’s attention that discrepancies have been noticed in some copies of the Rotarix Dosing and Administration Wheel (Rotarix Wheel). An image of the Rotarix Wheel is included below for reference. GSK recommends that HCPs immediately cease use of the Rotarix Wheel and discard any copies currently in their possession. In 2023, GSK intends to refresh the aids it provides to immunisers to assist with dosing and administration of Rotarix.

    Please note: There is no impact to the quality of the Rotarix vaccine, this letter relates solely to the Rotarix Wheel, which is collateral distributed separately from the Rotarix vaccine.

    As stated in the Rotarix Product Information, the vaccination course consists of two doses. The first dose should be given between 6 and 14 weeks of age. The interval between the two doses should not be less than 4 weeks. The vaccine course should be completed by the age of 24 weeks as safety has not been assessed in older children. This dosing schedule aligns with the current National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule with the first dose being administered at 2 months of age and the second dose being administered at 4 months of age. Dosing schedule recommendations from both the Rotarix Product Information and NIP have been correctly printed on the Rotarix Wheel for the HCP’s reference.

    For information on GSK products or to report an adverse event involving a GSK product, please contact GSK Medical Information on 1800 033 109.

    Yours Sincerely,

    Vincent So
    Head of NIP Vaccines Business
    GSK

  • Update to the Australian Immunisation Handbook

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    The Australian Immunisation Handbook has recently updated a number of pages and the updates can be viewed on the Handbook website.

  • AIR 42A Report update Dec 2022

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    From 3 December 2022 the AIR042A report will be temporarily unavailable whilst enhancements are made to improve usability and to future proof the report so that it is aligned with evolving clinical advice regarding multiple boosters and new COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination providers will still be able to access and view reports that they’ve requested prior to 3 December 2022.

    It is anticipated the enhanced AIR042A report will be available for vaccination providers to use from March 2023.

    You need to be signed in to add your comment.

  • Expansion of the NSW pharmacist vaccination program

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    The NSW pharmacist vaccination program has been expanded to include 6 additional vaccines:

    • Hepatitis A
    • Hepatitis B
    • Japanese encephalitis – completion of an additional education module is mandatory
    • Poliomyelitis
    • Typhoid
    • Zoster vaccine – Shingrix only not Zostavax.

    The NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards and NSW Pharmacist Vaccine Authority have been amended to reflect this.

    Additional information regarding the NSW pharmacist vaccination program is available here.

  • Discontinued: Moderna Original COVID-19 vaccine

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    All sites will have their allocation for Moderna ancestral (red cap) set to zero in COVID-19 Vaccine Administrative System (CVAS) from Saturday 22 October 2022. Sites were able to place their last order for Moderna ancestral by midnight Friday 21 October 2022.

  • Caution: COVID-19 vaccine dosing & administration errors

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    Immunisation providers are advised to exercise caution especially when administering Moderna vaccines to avoid potential dosing errors and incorrect vaccine selection. Several vaccine administration errors (VAEs) have been reported since the roll-out of the Moderna Bivalent 18 years+ (Blue/Green) vaccine.

    The correct dosage of Moderna Bivalent 18 years + vaccine is 0.50mL (rather than 0.25mL). The vaccine comes in 2.5mL vials, with 5 doses contained within each vial. Providers are strongly advised to use the COVID vaccine comparison poster to check dose and brand suitability.



  • Update to AIR vaccination provider form

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    Two new provider types, Residential Care Facilities (RCFs) and Authorised Nurses Immunisers (ANIs) have been added to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and can apply for an AIR Provider Number. This AIR update provides information and advice on possible scenarios.

    The advice is that a nurse in general practice is not required to get an AIR provider number and therefore an ABN is not needed.

    If someone is working as a contractor and needs an ABN they can apply directly to the ABR and there is no fee to get an ABN.

    Q In what settings should an ANI apply for an AIR provider number?

    A In NSW a Registered Nurse/Midwife who holds the relevant qualifications for administering immunisations independently, has an ABN and who:

    • plans on administering vaccines independently, or
    • administers vaccines at a location that does not already have or is unable to register for an AIR provider number





  • Amended Authority for Nurse/Midwife Immunisers and learning resource

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    The Authority for Nurse/Midwife Immunisers has been amended to include the following additional vaccines:

    • Japanese encephalitis vaccines – mandatory training required
    • Typhoid vaccines
    • Herpes Zoster – Shingrix only. Does not include Zostavax

    The Authority is available from: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Documents/authority-for-RNs-and-midwives.pdf

    In order to administer the Japanese encephalitis vaccines Authorised Nurse/Midwife Immunisers must have completed Japanese encephalitis: A resource for registered nurses and midwives

Page last updated: 09 Nov 2024, 11:29 AM